Page 75 of Unfaithful

"I'm sorry it's late. I tried calling, but you wouldn't answer," I said, knowing how pathetic it sounded.

She nodded but said nothing.

I glanced at Archie and Julian, both watching me with stern expressions, then at Emma, who looked about ready to strangle me.

"Well... I'll come back in the afternoon, then." I shifted on my feet, feeling a bit awkward. "I stopped by earlier, but no one was home, and I couldn't reach you. I got worried, so I waited."

"Okay," she said flatly.

Indifference. That was her reaction to me now.

I would've preferred it if she yelled or got angry. Hell, even if she punched me.

But this? This cold, detached indifference?

It hurt so much more.

And I had no one to blame but myself.

"Okay," I echoed, my voice hollow, grasping for something—anything—that might shift the way she was looking at me. "I'll wait until you're inside."

She shook her head. "No need. I have my friends here with me."

That caught me off guard. "They're all staying?" I blurted.

"Yes," Sara replied, but the surprised look on Archie and Julian's faces told me they hadn't been informed of this plan.

She was using them as a buffer, a silent way of keeping me at arm's length.

The realization sank in, settling like an unbearable weight in my chest.

"Okay, then. Good night, sweetheart," I said softly, noticing the way she flinched at the endearment. It slipped out, an old habit I couldn't seem to break.

"Good night," Sara mumbled before brushing past me and heading toward the front door. Emma and Julian followed, and just as they reached the steps, Julian's voice rang out through the night. "Watch out for the stairs, Tink! You're so fucking drunk."

Emma huffed in response, but I barely registered it.

I was face to face with Archie.

"I see you everywhere, Archie," I growled, frustration seeping into my voice before I could stop it.

"Yeah..." he drawled, completely unfazed. "Can't say I care much about what you think."

"Is this what we've come to?" I snapped, bristling with anger. "You're my best friend."

He didn't answer me.

"I did nothing wrong to you," my voice rose. "Whatever's going on between me and Sara shouldn't concern you." I stepped closer, getting in his face. "Sara is my wife. It's not your place to put yourself between us."

"Believe what you want, but I'm not taking advantage of her," Archie said calmly—too fucking calm—which only grated on my nerves more. "I just want to be there for her."

"Because you're in love with her."

"Yes."

His honesty hit like a punch to the gut. No hesitation, no attempt to deny it. Just a simple, undeniable truth.

I clenched my jaw, my hands curling into fists at my sides. "At least you're not pretending."

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